Tim Boyum has been in political journalism for 20 years.He is the political anchor of Spectrum News One and the host of Capital Tonight.He also publishes a weekly podcast bundled with Tim Boyum, as well as the monthly show Front Porch Politics, which he describes as “a combination of 60 Minutes and CBS Sunday Morning News.”
WUNC Capitol Bureau Chief Jeff Tiberii interviews Boyum about the WUNC Politics Podcast.Below are some excerpts from that conversation, edited for clarity and length.
TB: It’s been really exciting trying to figure out these new ways to engage audiences.And to get those who are tired of politics again in the way they are interested today.I use this analogy a lot: like zucchini bread, you make something that tastes great, you give it to your kids and they love it.They don’t realize they are eating vegetables.So I try to make zucchini bread for North Carolina people when they get sick of politics so they can still get it.
TB: I don’t have all the data I’ve been looking at, but I think we’re all reaching the same audience.That’s unfortunate in many ways, but it’s not uncommon for centuries.It’s the elderly who see these things.So, yes, we’re against that, but we’re also trying to attract younger audiences because they’re our future customers, right?future listeners and viewers.So we work hard to try and reach those goals.That’s the challenge though, because I have a 12-year-old who knows the Amber Heard-Johnny Depp trial because of TikTok.He knows more than I do.This is our vision for the future of journalism.
TB: A lot of it is just trying to fit into it all and do it in an engaging and timely way that people want to do and make it the best it can be.It’s hard to get the best of all three shows in a few weeks because you have so many.So this is part of it.But it’s exciting and challenging.I think the hardest part is just trying to figure out our audience, and then that’s something we all share, as political journalists, whatever the medium.We’re all in the same medium, and we’re working on that.So figuring out how to get that audience of the future and figuring out which products are the best fit for these platforms, I think that’s probably the toughest challenge we all face.
JT: I want to draw a line between you and cable TV.To me, cable TV is more partisan.I’ve been on your shows before and that’s not how you all feel.You are a more middle-oriented outlet.Is this fair?
TB: This is so unfair.We are obsessed with getting people to listen to both sides.Some of the biggest criticisms I get are not for being too liberal or too conservative, but for being bipartisan, allowing both sides to speak up.Let me give you an example: I wrote a lengthy piece about Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson for Front Porch Politics.Just the same weekend he posted a commentary video about the LGBTQ community, I got some people laughing at the story and doing it on him.My take on them is this: This guy is likely to run for governor in 2024 and has a good chance of winning.Don’t you want to know and know who that person is even if you don’t agree with him?
JT: You recently did a special about the Frying Pan Tower, which is part of the Frying Pan Shoal in an area known as the Atlantic Cemetery.I’ve always wanted to go, you went recently.Tell us a bit about what it’s like and what you get out of it.
TB: It was one of the craziest, craziest, craziest adventures of my life.I know it’s going to be crazy and I’m a little nervous, but it exceeded all expectations.This is a 25-minute sea helicopter tour where you will land on this 5,000-square-foot tower in the middle of the ocean.The wind was 25 miles per hour that day.The entire bottom is basically rusted, which is a problem as it can tip over.The interior still looks like the 60s and 70s.We slept in the same bed with the Coast Guard.But it’s a story of contrasts; it’s incredibly relaxing, but also incredibly dangerous and scary.This is the past, but it could be the future.Richard Neal of Charlotte bought it at auction and is trying to turn it into a bed and breakfast.But it needs about $2 million to fix.I’m glad I was able to do it and share it with the audience out there because it’s an icon.
Post time: Jun-16-2022